John Charles Williams (30 April 1861 – 29 March 1939)[1] was an English Liberal Unionist[2] politician and a noted gardener at Caerhays Castle, Cornwall, where he grew and bred rhododendrons and other plants.[3] An important group of camellia cultivars, Camellia × williamsii, was originally bred by him. He also took an interest in the development of new daffodil cultivars.[4]

Early life

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He was educated at Rugby School and at Trinity Hall, Cambridge.[3]

Career

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In 1882 he acquired the estate of Werrington, then in Devon and since 1974 in Cornwall.[5] He was one of the largest land-owners of north Cornwall having bought more than 5,000 acres (2,000 ha), mostly in the parishes of St Columb Major, St Ervan and St Issey, in the 1880s.[6] He was elected at the 1892 general election as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Truro, and held the seat until he stood down at the 1895 general election.[1][2] He was High Sheriff of Cornwall in 1888,[3] and Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall from 1918 to 1936.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "T" (part 2)
  2. ^ a b Craig, F. W. S. (1989) [1974]. British parliamentary election results 1885–1918 (2nd ed.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. p. 243. ISBN 0-900178-27-2.
  3. ^ a b c d "Williams, John Charles (WLMS881JC)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
  4. ^ Oxford dictionary of national biography. United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. 2004. p. 61472. ISBN 019861411X.
  5. ^ Cornwall Record Office, Werrington Estate Records, covering dates 1433–1909, ref: WW, Introduction
  6. ^ "A Considerate Landlord". The Cornishman. No. 378. 15 October 1885. p. 6.
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Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Truro
18921895
Succeeded by